Swiss Academies Factsheets

Scientific experts contribute to the publication series “Factsheets” of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. Factsheets are short and concise presentations of a topic based on state-of-the-art research. They are designated for politics, administration, practice, education, media and further interested groups.

Regional development is a mainstay of Swiss domestic policy, as evidenced by the federal government’s NewRegional Policy, regional nature parks, and more. But how do regional development processes really work? And how could they be more effectively supported?

Regional development is a mainstay of Swiss domestic policy, as evidenced by the federal government’s NewRegional Policy, regional nature parks, and more. But how do regional development processes really work? And how could they be more effectively supported?

The aim of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, if possible even 1.5 degrees Celsius. Various scenarios show that very great efforts are necessary to achieve these goals through emission reduction measures alone. This motivates the search for additional solutions. Technical interventions in the climate system, often referred to by collective terms such as “geoengineering” or “climate intervention”, are therefore discussed.

The aim of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, if possible even 1.5 degrees Celsius. Various scenarios show that very great efforts are necessary to achieve these goals through emission reduction measures alone. This motivates the search for additional solutions. Technical interventions in the climate system, often referred to by collective terms such as “geoengineering” or “climate intervention”, are therefore discussed.

Late blight continues to result in major losses and a considerable use of pesticides in potato farming. Research is under pressure to improve existing control strategies and develop new solutions. A combination of these approach- es could enable potato farming in Switzerland to generate greater yields and become more ecological.

Late blight continues to result in major losses and a considerable use of pesticides in potato farming. Research is under pressure to improve existing control strategies and develop new solutions. A combination of these approach- es could enable potato farming in Switzerland to generate greater yields and become more ecological.

The average surface temperature of the Earth has seen extraordinarily large increases since the middle of the 20th century – and we know why. It is primarily we humans who change the earth’s energy balance by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because of the particular sensitivity of its natural systems to climate change, Switzerland has a vested interest in a quick and comprehensive shift by the international community to a carbon-neutral economy and lifestyle.

The average surface temperature of the Earth has seen extraordinarily large increases since the middle of the 20th century – and we know why. It is primarily we humans who change the earth’s energy balance by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because of the particular sensitivity of its natural systems to climate change, Switzerland has a vested interest in a quick and comprehensive shift by the international community to a carbon-neutral economy and lifestyle.

Hiking and mountain biking are extremely popular sports activities. Especially in mountain areas, they are the two main summertime leisure activities. Many natural habitats, however, have been affected by the frequent presence of large numbers of people; conflicts between different kinds of users have also arisen. This factsheet presents various planning tools for conflict prevention or resolution, and provides an overview of likely future challenges.

Hiking and mountain biking are extremely popular sports activities. Especially in mountain areas, they are the two main summertime leisure activities. Many natural habitats, however, have been affected by the frequent presence of large numbers of people; conflicts between different kinds of users have also arisen. This factsheet presents various planning tools for conflict prevention or resolution, and provides an overview of likely future challenges.

The genetic makeup of plants can be modified precisely by means of new breeding techniques. Typically, these changes could also occur naturally and, in the process, no genetic material that is unrelated to the species remains in the plant. The techniques significantly broaden the possibilities for plant breeding, thereby potentially helping to make Swiss agriculture more environmentally friendly, economically viable and ultimately more sustainable.1 As some varieties developed by using the new breeding techniques already exist and new ones are expected to follow shortly, it is imperative to determine whether or not plants engineered by means of these new techniques are subject to the Gene Technology Act. From a natural scientific point of view, there is no reason for a strict regulation of plants bred in this fashion.

The genetic makeup of plants can be modified precisely by means of new breeding techniques. Typically, these changes could also occur naturally and, in the process, no genetic material that is unrelated to the species remains in the plant. The techniques significantly broaden the possibilities for plant breeding, thereby potentially helping to make Swiss agriculture more environmentally friendly, economically viable and ultimately more sustainable.1 As some varieties developed by using the new breeding techniques already exist and new ones are expected to follow shortly, it is imperative to determine whether or not plants engineered by means of these new techniques are subject to the Gene Technology Act. From a natural scientific point of view, there is no reason for a strict regulation of plants bred in this fashion.

Switzerland occupies an important position in the global trade of hard and soft commodities. Companies headquartered within its borders directly or indirectly shape commodity extraction practices around the world, some of which carry considerable negative environmental and social risks on the ground, particularly in fragile contexts. Minimizing these risks and maximizing shared economic gains could enable mutually beneficial development and counteract persistent social and political inequality.

Switzerland occupies an important position in the global trade of hard and soft commodities. Companies headquartered within its borders directly or indirectly shape commodity extraction practices around the world, some of which carry considerable negative environmental and social risks on the ground, particularly in fragile contexts. Minimizing these risks and maximizing shared economic gains could enable mutually beneficial development and counteract persistent social and political inequality.

This factsheet outlines key challenges, knowledge gaps, and research questions centring on Switzerland’s role and potential responsibility as a leading commodity hub. It concludes with suggestions of possible avenues for future research and policy.

This factsheet outlines key challenges, knowledge gaps, and research questions centring on Switzerland’s role and potential responsibility as a leading commodity hub. It concludes with suggestions of possible avenues for future research and policy.

Many rural and regional economies have been affected by decreasing availability of jobs in the forestry and agri­ cultural sectors. This has led to increases in commuter numbers and depopulation. The negative impact of such structural change may be mitigated by the wide range of activities offered by parks and protected areas, which may lead to the creation of jobs in many sectors. This potential is one of the premises of the Swiss Parks Ordin­ ance (Federal Council 2007), whose explicit purpose it is both to conserve natural habitats and landscapes, and to encourage sustainable regional business activities.

Many rural and regional economies have been affected by decreasing availability of jobs in the forestry and agri­ cultural sectors. This has led to increases in commuter numbers and depopulation. The negative impact of such structural change may be mitigated by the wide range of activities offered by parks and protected areas, which may lead to the creation of jobs in many sectors. This potential is one of the premises of the Swiss Parks Ordin­ ance (Federal Council 2007), whose explicit purpose it is both to conserve natural habitats and landscapes, and to encourage sustainable regional business activities.

Fracking facilitates the economic use of otherwise inaccessible gas resources, and is also used in deep geothermics. The factsheet published by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences provides arguments for the discussion of these techniques.

Fracking facilitates the economic use of otherwise inaccessible gas resources, and is also used in deep geothermics. The factsheet published by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences provides arguments for the discussion of these techniques.

Swiss agriculture needs to increase production, while maintaining the same quality and at the same time reducing environmental impact. New agricultural methods and technologies are important for the attainment of these agricultural policy targets. The development and cultivation of genetically modified crops can contribute towards achieving these goals. The utilisation of such plants in research and food production is currently hampered by legal constraints.

Swiss agriculture needs to increase production, while maintaining the same quality and at the same time reducing environmental impact. New agricultural methods and technologies are important for the attainment of these agricultural policy targets. The development and cultivation of genetically modified crops can contribute towards achieving these goals. The utilisation of such plants in research and food production is currently hampered by legal constraints.

In what way do global environmental changes and climate change, in particular, affect migration flows in and from developing countries? The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences summarise the state of knowledge in a recently published fact sheet.

In what way do global environmental changes and climate change, in particular, affect migration flows in and from developing countries? The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences summarise the state of knowledge in a recently published fact sheet.

Hunger and malnutrition are among the greatest challenges regarding human health andsustainable development. Today, the number of hungry people in the world exceeds the combinedpopulation of the USA, Canada and the European Union. All the same, the challenge of feedingthe world is considered to be achievable provided that the global community acts decisively.

Hunger and malnutrition are among the greatest challenges regarding human health andsustainable development. Today, the number of hungry people in the world exceeds the combinedpopulation of the USA, Canada and the European Union. All the same, the challenge of feedingthe world is considered to be achievable provided that the global community acts decisively.

Mountains provide vital goods and services for the benefit of all humankind, helping to supportsustainable development and to move the world towards a greener economy. But mountainsface challenges that threaten the provision of these goods and services. The global communitymust act – a new agenda for mountain development is urgently required.

Mountains provide vital goods and services for the benefit of all humankind, helping to supportsustainable development and to move the world towards a greener economy. But mountainsface challenges that threaten the provision of these goods and services. The global communitymust act – a new agenda for mountain development is urgently required.